***Timestamp: December***



Patrick sighed happily as he tore off a piece of tape to finish wrapping the present in front of him. He'd been at this for two hours now, locked away in his bedroom where his nosey friends couldn't sneak a peek at what he'd got them, and he was nearly done...just one more gift to wrap, the most important one. He stood from his bed and walked over to his desk, opening the only locked drawer in his room and fishing out the little square box. He'd been worried when he bought it, but now he couldn't be surer that it was right. He opened the lid and smiled at what was inside. It wasn't an engagement ring of course, he had only been with Mikey for a month and that was way too early for such a thing, but it was a promise ring, a promise to love Mikey and protect him, no matter what. Patrick closed the lid and went back to his bed. He sat on the edge and picked up a length of thin red ribbon. Carefully he tied the ribbon around the box and used a pencil to curl the ends. When he was satisfied with the result, he carefully set the little box down and smiled.

"This is gonna be the best Christmas."

He murmured before standing back up and setting to work, carefully placing each of the gifts...except for the ring...into large cloth Christmas sacks, each one with its recipient's name embroidered in gold. Yes, this was going to be the best Christmas ever...cause he was spending it with the best friends he'd ever had and the boy he loved, and now couldn't imagine not having in his life for even a day.

Frank was pacing back and forth. No, he was wearing a hole in the floor. He had never been this nervous in his life. He kept looking at the tree and then big box under it.

"Maybe it's too soon. Maybe he'll say no."

Frank sighed and walked away to find something else to do other than worry.

"So what did you get Frankie for Christmas Gee?"

Mikey was sitting on Gerard's bed swinging his legs back and forth. He had on a little red velvet dress with white fur trim and a bow as well as white stockings with bows and fur on them. Brand new open toed red sparkly shoes covered his feet, although Gerard was worried about him stubbing his toes a lot. Open toed shoes and Mikey didn't go together very well. Gerard sighed, looking down.

"A ring..."

He mumbled, then looked up.

"But I'm rethinking. What if he laughs at me?"

Mikey touched his brother's arm lightly.

"Gee...Frankie would never laugh at you."

Gerard sighed again.

"It's not even that good a ring; I'm not exactly rolling in cash. Maybe I should get something else...I could dress up for him or something. Could I borrow some of your clothes? That little red skirt with the flowers on it might suit me."

"Gee, stop. Stop trying to be something you are not. He knows what kind of money you earn, he works for the same guy remember?"

Mikey giggled.

"Besides, I know you have money, you have just been putting it aside to take Frankie on a vacation and you don't want Trick to pay for it."

Gerard's eyes lit up.

"Wait...that's it! I can take him away for New Year’s...somewhere hot maybe..."

Then his smile dropped.

"But I can't book it til after Christmas...I still only have the crappy ring for him. It's not good enough..."

He put his head in his hands and mumbled.

"I'm not good enough."

"Oh Gee, I think sometimes you forget a thing called internet..."

Mikey got off the bed, wobbling a bit in the kitten heels, and took Gerard's hand. He led him over to the desk where Patrick had given them each a lap top to do school work.

"Sit."

Gerard frowned, but sat down. He wasn't a huge fan of the internet...at least not social media, not since that dick hacked his account and started sending rude pictures to his college professor last year.

"I'm not sure about this Mikes. Is this safe?"

Mikey rolled his eyes.

"Yes Gee, now look up where you want to go. Then we can go to a travel site and book plane, hotel, and car rental all at once."

Gerard looked up with wide eyes.

"It's that simple?"

"Yup, now get started while I find Bobby and ask him what he is making for dinner..."

Mikey walked to the door and then turned back.

"I'll just follow the trail of Pete's drool."

Then he was gone.

Gerard giggled, then got to work...he hoped Frankie would like where he picked.

*

*

*

Pete was leaning over his lap top going over numbers and other shit that he hated when he felt a pair of hands over his eyes.

"Take a break and come try the cookies I just made?"

"You have a funny way of telling me to stop looking at my lap top Bobby."

Pete chuckled and closed the device. He got up and followed his boyfriend into the kitchen. On the island were several plates of cookies that he didn't recognise.

"You're gonna have to tell me what each one is Master baker."

Bob cleared his throat, then grinned at his boyfriend.

"Ok then. These are Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies filled with caramel and peanut butter, and these are Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies...you'll like those. Then these ones are Caramel Pecan Snickerdoodle Cookies and these are Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies...try them and tell me what you think."

Pete went right for the bacon chocolate chip cookies and took a bite. They were still warm and gooey and he moaned obscenely.

"Marry me Bobby."

Bob smirked.

"Ask me again when my cookies aren't getting you hard."

Pete blushed as he realised what he said, but then he decided fuck it.

"I mean it Bobby. I mean spoiler alert, I was going to ask you on Christmas cause you are that special to me, but now I realise that I don't need a special day to tell you how much I want to spend my life with you.”

Pete put the cookie down and pulled the ring out that he has been carrying around for weeks. He got down on one knee in front of Bob.

"Robert Bryar, will you do me the honor of taking my last name?"

Bob nearly choked on his tongue, his eyes going wide with shock...he'd been joking but, now that he thought about it...

"Yes?..."

He blinked quickly and swallowed hard...he didn't mean to sound so unsure.

"I mean yes!...yes Pete, of fucking course I will!"

He grinned as he grabbed Pete up from the floor and twirled him around before pressing his back to the nearest wall and their lips together hungrily. After a moment or two he pulled back for air, looking into Pete's eyes.

"You're serious?...you really want me ?"

"I do...I mean yes, I..."

Pete laughed happier than he had been in a long time. He pushed Bob away slightly and grabbed his hand slipping the ring on his fourth finger.

"HOLY SHIT!"

Pete looked over at the kitchen entrance and saw Frank standing there in shock.

"You...you...I....uh...GERARD!"

Bob face palmed as he went red and heard the footsteps running down the hallway.

"What? What's happened?..."

Gerard babbled quickly as he ran in, grabbing Frank and turning him toward him.

"Are you ok?"

“No! No I am not okay! Pete asked Bob to marry him!"

Gerard blinked for a moment then turned to look at the other pair.

"Wait...really?"

"Um...yeah, I kind of lost my head over Bob's cookies."

Pete held up the bacon one. Gerard raised an eyebrow.

"You proposed cause of baked goods?!"

"I mean. I was going to do that at Christmas anyway."

Pete was blushing and looking at Bob for help. Bob just shrugged and grinned, lifting his hand up to show off his ring. Gerard smiled, he was happy for them, but couldn't help but notice how much better Bob's ring was than the one he'd gotten for Frank.

"Congratulations..."

He said softly, biting his lip a little.

"I better get back to it...laters."

He turned and walked out of the kitchen and off down the hall.

"Is he ok?"

Bob asked with a slight frown.

"I'm not sure."

Frank forgot about the happy couple in front of him and went to go find his boyfriend.

*

*

*

Gerard was in the bathroom, hands on the edge of the basin and slightly red rimmed eyes staring himself down in the mirror.

"Just forget about the ring..."

He mumbled to himself.

"Frank won't even want it anyway. The vacation can be his present."

"Hey Ray have you seen Gee?"

Frank's voice echoed from the hall. Gerard held his breath.

"Not since breakfast. Why, you lost him?"

“He got upset when Pete proposed to Bob over bacon cookies."

"Wait...there's cookies?"

Ray asked with a grin.

"Ray did you hear what I just said?"

"Yeah, Pete proposed to Bob and there's cookies...that cover it?..."

Ray chuckled, placing a hand on Frank's shoulder.

"Look...you get why Gee would've got upset, right?"

"Uh...no? Why you do?"

Frank cocked his head like Satan did when he didn't understand what he was doing wrong to piss people off. Mostly Gerard. Ray rolled his eyes.

"Frank, little buddy of mine, you my friend are blind if you don't see it..."

Gerard leaned his ear quietly against the bathroom door, wondering if he'd really been transparent enough that Ray had noticed.

"Gee loves you and I reckon he's been waiting for you to propose to him for a while now...and Pete gets in first when he and Bob haven't been together even half the time you've been with Gee. Get it now?"

"But I'm going to! I have the ring and everything! I went with the boss to get it, but I paid for it! I swear, I was just waiting for the right time! He's worth more that cookies to me!"

Gerard stuffed his hand into his mouth to stop from squealing...so much for his stupid cheap ring, it's not like he would've had the balls to propose to Frankie anyway.

"Well good! Gee deserves to be happy, and so do you. Come on, I'll help you look for him."

Ray steered Frank off down the hallway and Gerard sagged against the wall, finally breathing with a big happy smile on his face.


***Timestamp: Christmas Evening***


"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Everyone clinked glasses together at the table. Gerard smiled, leaning into Frank's side as he sipped his champagne. He had grinned and kissed Frank when he'd seen him, but he didn't let on that he'd heard Frank's conversation with Ray...and he swerved his boyfriend's worried questions about how he'd acted by just saying he was tired.

"When are we doing presents?"

He asked no one in particular, he couldn't help but be excited.

"I'm thinking after desert..."

Patrick said with a smile.

"That ok with everyone?"

There was a chorus of agreement.

"So what's for dessert Bobby?"

Bob grinned, standing and going to fetch the dessert from the kitchen...he hadn't let anyone see what he was making, not even Pete. He returned a minute later with a large covered white and gold plate.

"Well I thought I'd do one of my personal favorites, something I don't make often, but that just reminds me of family, friends and happy times..."

He removed the dome cover with a light flourish.

"I present my famous Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake."

Everyone ooohed and ahhed and they all laughed about it. Plates were passed out and everyone gave Bob so much praise. Pete beamed at how amazing his fiancé was. Then they all headed into the living room to open gifts.

"Okay, who's gonna be Santa."

Gerard sighed when no one volunteered, handing Frank his glass of champagne...that he'd been nursing since the beginning of the meal as he doesn't really like to drink that much anymore.

"I'll do it, if you'll help me Mikes?"

"Sure, I mean I'm practically dressed as Santa's helper anyway."

Mikey giggled and got up, letting the green crushed velvet mini dress flounce at his knees, the faux fur trim tickling his bare thighs. Below that were green and while striped stockings and black heeled Maryjanes.

"Let me put my hat on. Trick, can you hand it to me?"

Patrick grinned, passing up Mikey's Christmas hat. It was long and floppy and striped in green and white...and it had been knitted for him by Gerard five years ago. Gerard rolled his eyes, blushing pink.

"You still have that?...please let me burn it this year and buy you a proper one?"

"Nope, I love it so much I will never give it up. It will be handed down to my children."

Gerard frowned.

"You don't even have children yet, and you already want to scar them with my crappy attempt at knitting. Why do you hate my niece slash nephew before they even exist?"

He asked with exaggerated drama in his tone, as he tried his hardest not to laugh. Mikey waved him off as Frank put a Santa hat on Gerard's head. He settled on his knees next to the tree.

"Okay Santa Gee, who's first?"

*

*

*

"Okay last one."

Mikey handed the only present left under the tree to Gerard. Gerard looked at the tag and smiled, handing it back.

"That one's yours Mikey...I'd say it's from mom, judging by the wrapping paper."

He said with a giggle, considering the paper had Easter bunnies all over it. Mikey tore into it and cooed at the pair of mittens. They were knitted like his hat, but Donna was better than knitting then Gerard, she had the years on him though.

"I'll call her tomorrow and thank her. Also find out if she liked the presents we sent her."

"So we're done then?"

Mikey started to nod and say yes when he realised something.

"Hey Gee, there's a gift missing."

Gerard shook his head, giving him a small warning look.

"No there isn't."

Mikey narrowed his eyes.

"Yes there is."

He got up and as best he could, ran for the stairs towards the wing where Gerard's room was. Gerard leapt to his feet and took off after him.

"Mikey stop!...there's no more presents!"

He called after him as he chased him up the stairs like he used to do when they were kids.

"What's that all about?"

Patrick asked in confusion, looking around at the others. Bob chuckled, cuddling Pete to his chest happily.

"Oh, probably just random Way brother madness...you'll get used to it."

"Mikey please..."

Gerard grumbled a minute later, trailing his brother back down the stairs and into the room.

"Give it back."

Frank stood up not liking that Gerard was upset.

"What's going on guys?"

"Gee, if you don't tell him, I will."

Gerard felt like he was going to cry. He shook his head, looking down at his feet.

"Someone tell me what the fuck is going on!"

Everyone jumped now when Frank yelled.

"Frank..."

Frank looked at Ray.

"Ray..."

Ray shut up and just pulled Christa in tighter.

"Frankie...Gerard wanted to give you this."

Mikey handed Frank the small box.

Frank looked at it.

"Gee?"

Gerard wrapped his arms around himself and chewed on his lip for a moment.

"It's crap..."

He mumbled, eyes still on the floor.

"You don't have to open it."

Frank held the small velvet box in his hand. He could feel the one in his pocket still, but...

"I want to...can I?"

Gerard swallowed, not daring to look up.

"You'll laugh."

He mumbled weakly, sinking down to sit on the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest.

Frank opened up the box and gasped. The ring was not as extravagant as the one he had picked out with Patrick. In fact it was more masculine than it, but it had a charm that screamed his boyfriend's taste and it was his brother's favorite colour which endeared him to it even more.

"I love it. Will you put it on me?"

Mikey looked at him with eyes saying 'you better do this right'. Gerard blinked slowly and looked up, confusion written all over his face.

"You...like it?"

"I do, it's the perfect colour and I love the design."

"It's only cheap..."

Gerard looked down again, his voice going quiet.

"You're worth more than that. I should've got something better."

"Gee...money doesn't matter to me. It never did when we were living in that piece of shit apartment, and it doesn't now that we live here. I love you, you, that's what matters to me and..."

There was a crash and something furry and white ran through the living room followed by something black and furry. The white furry thing ran into and up the Christmas tree and...

"SATAN NO!"

Too late, Satan tried to climb the tree, but succeeded in knocking it down. The furry white thing jumped into Patrick's lap. Patrick yelped in surprise as the white thing...which turned out to be a rabbit...landed feet first on his crotch.

"Ow fuck. What the..."

He blinked rapidly then picked the rabbit up, standing quickly to hold it out of Satan's reach.

"Anyone care to explain why I just got assaulted by Bugs Bunny?"

He asked in disbelief. Ray came back from the dining room.

"Satan broke the veranda door. I am guessing he was chasing the rabbit and well..."

Frank looked at the mess on the floor and everything all around him and started to laugh. Patrick sighed.

"Yeah, but where did the rabbit come from?"

Bob started laughing too.

"Patrick...do we need to have a talk about where babies come from?...I thought you would know that already."

Patrick rolled his eyes as everyone else started laughing as well...even Gerard giggled slightly from his spot on the floor, with tinsel and baubles strewn all around him. Patrick sighed and eventually joined in, after all, it was kinda funny. Gerard looked up at Frank, his giggles turning into a soft, shy smile...well his ring might be cheap, but at least it didn't knock down the Christmas tree.

"Now will you ask him to marry you?"

Mikey stood there with an impassive look on his face. Gerard knew he wasn't getting out of this.

Gerard whined quietly.

"I hate you MikeyWay, you know that right?"

"No you don't, you love me."

Mikey tried to look intimidating, but it was kind of hard to be taken seriously in his outfit with his knitted stocking cap hanging half off his head. Gerard rolled his eyes and looked up at his little brother.

"You're right, but I still hate you..."

He sighed then turned his eyes up to look at Frank, who was grinning at him so wide that Gerard worried his face would split in two.

"So um...I wanted to ask, but I'm a fucking chicken and I haven't even planned what to say and I love you Frankie and I d-don't want to ruin us or scare you off or anything but..."

He took a much needed breath, his cheeks on fire as he felt every pair of eyes in the room watching him intently.

"Fuck!..."

He ran a nervously shaking hand through his already messed up hair.

"I'm really bad at this but...Frank Iero, would you...would you m-marry me?"

His voice went high and uncertain at the end as he cringed at his own lameness.

"I thought you would never ask!"

Frank leaped onto Gerard knocking him down and kissing him more obscenely then he needed to.

Gerard squeaked, his eyes going wide as his arms flailed for a moment before he succumbed completely and made out with his FIANCÉ in the middle of the living room floor, surrounded by ruined decorations, torn wrapping paper and their friends and family who were all doing a weird mix of clapping, cheering and gagging at the unexpected soft porn show they were putting on.

"Alright, if you two are done now."

Ray was covering Christa's eyes as she was trying to see the live gay show. Bob chuckled as Frank and Gerard clearly didn't think they were done.

"Hey, let 'em be Toro...I'm enjoying the show."

Patrick laughed and rolled his eyes, then looked at Mikey, who was currently blushing and looking anywhere but at his brother getting basically felt up at his feet. He met the younger boy's eyes and signaled with the hand not holding the rabbit, for him join him. Mikey walked over to Patrick, his heels clacking on the parquet floor. He smiled when he saw the bunny had calmed down. He reached out and petted it lightly. Patrick reached up to straighten Mikey's falling hat and smiled.

"Do you know where Bugs came from?"

He asked, nodding toward the rabbit that was sniffing at Mikey's fingers cutely.

"I think there is a family near the garden. Bobby was saying something about the veggie leaves looking nibbled at in the summer time."

Patrick chuckled.

"Figures..."

He took a breath and tilted his head toward the hallway.
"Would you take a walk with me?...I'd like a couple minutes with you without this rabble."

"We can bring the bunny back to his family."

"Sounds good..."

Patrick held out his hand to the pretty boy.

"May I hold your hand?...it's a little icy outside and I don't want you falling over...or me for that matter."

He winked.

Despite it being a bit chilly it wasn't unpleasant outside. The sky was clear and the moon was high and bright as they walked through the frozen grass crunching under their feet. Patrick's hand was warm in Mikey's as they made it to the other side of the garden. Sure enough there was a log there and hopping around were several rabbits. Mikey let go of Patrick's hand and crouched down holding out the hand that touched the rabbit earlier. One tentatively hopped up and sniffed it. Patrick watched him with a smile tugging at his lips, and the boy tugging at his heart. He made a decision.

"Mikey?"

He said softly after a minute. Mikey looked up.

"Yeah?"

Patrick carefully put the rabbit back with its brothers and sisters, then straightened back up, offering Mikey his hand again.

"Can I ask you something...important?"

Mikey pet the bunny lightly, and then taking Patrick's hand, allowed himself to be pulled up. Patrick smiled nervously.

"Ok, so everyone seems to have picked today to ask their significant others to be even more significant, but I don't want you to think that I'm only asking this cause everyone else is...I've never really been one to bend to peer pressure, you know?..."

He saw the confused look on Mikey's face and realised that he was babbling.

"So..."

He drew out the o, taking a breath to steal himself and calm his nerves a little. Taking Mikey's other hand into his hand as well, Patrick sank down onto one knee, ignoring the frost that instantly soaked through the leg of his pants. He swallowed, keeping eye contact with the now shocked looking boy.

"Mikey Way, I have loved you pretty much since the moment I lay eyes on you. When you turned up on my doorstep, knees cut up and so sad that you couldn't get anyone to buy those magazines...I fell. I tried not to. I tried to be a boss to you and the others and not let my feelings show through but...but with every move and word, you captured my heart and mind. I thought someone as beautiful and perfect as you could never like someone like me, but you proved me wrong, and I couldn't be happier unless...unless..."

He took another deep breath, gently rubbing his thumbs over the backs of Mikey's delicate hands before letting go of one to reach his hand into his jacket pocket, and pull out a small black hinged box. He used his thumb to flick it open.

"Mikey Way, would you marry me?"

The ring looked like a rose frozen in ice. Mikey trembled as he looked at it. He was scared. He was terrified. He was in love.

"Yes."

It was all he could utter as he shook, not from cold, but from something else. Patrick's eyes widened and a grin spread on his lips as he stood quickly, grabbing Mikey around the waist and picking him up, spinning him around happily.

"OH MY GOD! YES YES YES!..."

He stopped spinning after a minute and brought Mikey in against his chest, setting him back on his feet but not letting him go. He looked into Mikey's startled eyes.

"I'll make you so happy baby, I promise..."

He reached up to brush Mikey's hair from his face gently.

"Say something baby...anything."

"I'm...going to faint."

And he did. Patrick gasped, but luckily he still had one arm wrapped around him and didn't let him fall.

"Mikey?...fuck..."

He muttered, scooping the boy up into his arms bridal style, smiling at that as he carried him quickly inside and into the living room, where everyone else was still hanging out, and Frank and Gerard were no longer dry humping on the floor, but cuddled up in one of the large armchairs together, whispering and sharing soft kisses.

"Um, guys?"

Patrick said to gain everyone's attention. Everyone looked up.

"What the...? Mikey?"

Gerard gasped, jumping up from Frank's lap quickly.

"Whoa, what happened?"

Frank cleared off the sofa for Patrick to put Mikey down. Patrick nodded at him gratefully, moving over and gently laying the boy down, carefully straightening out his skirt so he wasn't flashing the room.

"He's ok. He fainted after I..."

He trailed off, brushing Mikey's hair from his face distractedly. Frank looked and saw the ring on Mikey's finger and smiled.

"He said yes before he fainted, right?"

Gerard looked up from his spot on his knees next to the sofa with a confused look on his face.

"Said yes to what?"

Frank looked at his fiancé softly.

"Trick asked Mikey to marry him."

Gerard's eyes widened to saucers as his head snapped round to look at Patrick.

"What?!...really?..."

Patrick nodded, smiling happily.

"Wow!"

"Yeah, I love him...have from the start."

Gerard lightly punched Patrick in the shoulder.

"Just don't hurt him or I'll...set Frankie on you."

Patrick chuckled.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Well I think we have had enough excitement for today. Let's get some sleep and worry about this mess in the morning."

Pete stood up and stretched. He looked at Bob fondly.

"Would you like to come home with me tonight?"

"No!..."

Everyone jumped when Frank yelled.

"What about breakfast?"

Gerard giggled, looking up at him with heart eyes.

"I'm sure I can handle making some pancakes Frankie..."

His smile faltered as he looked down self consciously.

"I mean...or someone better could."

"We can make them together..."

Frank pulled Gerard close to him.

"What about Mikey?"

Pete looked up at Patrick.

"You got him right Trick?"

Patrick nodded, carding his fingers through the sleeping boy's hair.

"Yeah, I got him."

He murmured, a soft happy smile on his lips.

*

*

*

The room was still and quiet as Patrick sat with Mikey's head resting in his lap. He stroked the younger boy's soft cheek as he waited for him to wake up...he was glad everyone else had either left the house, or disappeared into their bedrooms for their own privacy.

"Come on baby, wake up for me so I can kiss my beautiful fiancé."

"Mmmm."

Mikey stirred a bit and opened his eyes. He didn't have his glasses on, but he could tell he was in Patrick's room. He looked up and smiled at the face above him.

"Hi."

Patrick smiled.

"Hi baby. You ok?"

"I am now."

"Can I kiss you?"

"Please."

Patrick smiled and leaned down, his lips pressing lightly against the younger boy's before he pulled back, just an inch.

"The others know by the way."

"Oh...what did Gee say?"

Patrick chuckled.

"He punched me in the arm and told me not to hurt you or he'll set Frank on me."

Mikey gave a visible breath of relief.

"Yeah, that sounds like him. So now what?"

Well, I was thinking we should get some sleep...it's been a long day."

"I like that idea..."

Mikey moved so that he was snuggled against Patrick in the crook of his arm.

"Merry Christmas Trick."

"Merry Christmas baby..."

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of Mikey's head.

"Good night my love."

"Night”

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?

So everyone's engaged...that's cool, right?

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT and peace out babies!
<3